Smartphones have become an integral part of our lives. We use them at work, at home, on the road, even during outdoor activities. Sometimes, in order to take a good shot, smartphones are placed in conditions where it is easy to damage the gadget, and sometimes just wet hands after washing cause the device to malfunction. Moisture resistance is becoming an important characteristic that allows you to maintain the performance of your smartphone in both extreme and normal living conditions. We will tell you how to choose such a smartphone in this article.
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When it comes to water protection, the most commonly mentioned standard is IP68, which is one of the highest protection standards. The IP designation stands for Ingress Protection, which can be translated as «ingress protection». There are two numbers next to this abbreviation. The first one indicates the level of protection of the device against the penetration of solid particles such as dust, and the second one — indicates the degree of protection against moisture.
The IP68 standard means that the smartphone is protected against dust and can withstand immersion in water to a depth of 1.5 meters for 30 minutes. This protection is useful not only for travelers or active people, but also for those who accidentally drop their phone in water or use it in the rain.
However, manufacturers also offer other protection standards:
Just because you own an IP68-rated smartphone doesn’t mean it’s ready for swimming in a pool or open water. This is because the testing is done in a freshwater laboratory, and exposure to salt water or chemicals in a swimming pool can damage the device.
It is also worth considering that over time, the protection may weaken due to dropping the device or repair, which increases the risk of damage during the next dive. After all, deformations that occur with the case also affect those elements that are responsible for moisture protection.
If you are looking for the highest degree of protection, then you need to turn to the category of specialized smartphones. They are equipped with additional metal plates, shockproof cases, and have increased resistance to drops and impacts. Such devices are often used by rescuers, military, climbers, and tourists.
Since IP68 protection is a feature of flagship models, it’s no surprise that the Galaxy S line opens this selection. In addition to protection, it offers top-of-the-line specs — a powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor and a large (6.8″) Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen with a resolution of 3088×1440 pixels, 120Hz refresh rate, and up to 2600 nits of brightness.
From other models in the series S24 Ultra stands out thanks to its right-angled design and titanium body, as well as a special feature — the included S Pencil stylus.
In addition to good memory reserves for productive work, the gadget supports advanced Galaxy AI algorithms. This proprietary artificial intelligence adapts the smartphone to the user’s schedule, gives it useful functions (such as real-time translation of messages), and offers advanced graphics processing capabilities for big-screen entertainment.
The S24 Ultra also has powerful cameras (the main camera consists of four lenses), and the front camera is built into the display. For shooting even in difficult conditions, the smartphone offers both a great tool for high-quality content and a sufficient level of protection to withstand various use cases.
Galaxy S24 Ultra can be found on the market at prices ranging from 38,890 to 58,439 UAH.
Another flagship from Apple, the iPhone 15 Pro Max is also not afraid of moisture, splashes and dust, has a durable glass body and titanium frame. Therefore, it is not surprising that it became so popular in the first quarter of 2024 according to Counterpoint.
iPhone 15 Pro Max offers a 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR display with ProMotion technology, also has a refresh rate of up to 120 Hz, and therefore users will enjoy smooth and fast content playback.
The A17 Pro processor with a 6-core GPU is responsible for the performance of the model, which makes the smartphone a powerful gaming platform for entertainment and content creation. By the way, for photos and videos, there is a triple camera system that allows you to record video in ProRes and 4K format.
In addition, like any iPhone 15 Pro Max has a state-of-the-art Face ID security system, good battery life, and MagSafe support. And the new — USB-C port for charging and data transfer.
The smartphone can be found at a price ranging from 46,499 to 66,395 UAH.
Google smartphones are famous for their cameras and proprietary algorithms for photo processing, but Google Pixel 7 also has water protection that allows immersion up to 1.5 meters.
In addition to this Pixel 7 offers a powerful hardware, a stylish recycled aluminum body, and overpowered cameras (50MP main camera + 12MP ultra-wide-angle lens). The front camera is located in a miniature display island, which with its 6.3-inch screen and OLED matrix is ideal for consuming a lot of content. By the way, the screen also has protection in the form of heavy-duty Gorilla Glass Victus and an unobvious feature — an in-screen fingerprint reader.
The smartphone is based on the Google Tensor G2 chipset running Android 13, and therefore is able to satisfy power-hungry users.
Price Google Pixel 7 varies from UAH 14,449 to UAH 30,600.
Sony smartphones are not frequent participants in our selections, as the Sony Mobile division is considered to be forgotten by many users. However, the brand new Xperia 10 VI proves that the manufacturer still has «powder in its» barrels. This model is made in the company’s characteristic styling, with the focus, as always, on the gadget’s powerful cameras. Two lenses with optical stabilization (the main Sony Exmor RS ½» 48 megapixel and an 8 megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens) give the gadget good shooting capabilities, but AI support makes the process easier and the photo results better.
The manufacturer emphasizes the good battery life of the model and notes that the light and laconic design hides a smartphone ready for an active lifestyle. With IP68 protection and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, Sony Xperia 10 VI is ready for adventures, travel, and active daily use.
On the other hand, it is worth knowing that the screen in the model is represented by an OLED matrix with a size of 6.1» inches and an aspect ratio of 21:9. At a price of UAH 13,390 to 20,230, it is a great option both in terms of features and price.
In addition to its brutal appearance, the rest of the Galaxy Xcover7 is an ordinary smartphone. It offers a 6.6» inch FHD+ screen, standard storage, and a 50 megapixel main camera. The only difference from standard models is the removable battery. This solution allows you to install a spare battery in «hot-swap» mode.
Price for Galaxy Xcover7 starts at UAH 12 thousand.
What if you already have a great smartphone, but you’re preparing for traveling, filming in extreme conditions, or outdoor activities? Buying a new gadget is not an option, but you can find some useful accessories:
These accessories will keep your device safe even in the most challenging conditions, making them a must-have for active lifestyle enthusiasts.